From the Mayor of Monessen

[My Good Babushka]

“If ISIS was to come to Monessen, you know what they’d do? They’d keep on going, they'd say someone already bombed the goddamned place,” he added, referring to the so-called Islamic State jihadist group. “That’s how bad it is.”

http://www.routefifty.com/2016/04/lou-mavrakis-monessen-pennsylvania-obama-letter/127786/

My grandfather was from Monessen. He played basketball for the Monessen Greyhounds. This makes me so sad. The U.S. let so many communities, once vibrant and successful, degrade into slums and complete dumps.

[malthaussen]

1. He and Fetterman should get together.

Mr Fetterman has done some pretty good things with Braddock.

-- Mal

[modrepub]

2. Just for a little context

This part of the Mon Valley was once heavily industrialized. Donora PA is right next to it so the vibrancy of this area came at a cost of heavy pollution and environmental degradation, which spawned some of the first environmental regulations in this country. Like nearly every part of Pennsylvania, Monessen has shrunk in population and economic vibrancy as industry either closed, relocated or became more automated (more production with fewer workers).

[livetohike]

3. My Dad was raised in Braddock ( came to America in 1929).

The steel mill is still in operation there. When Monroeville Mall opened in 1969, the small business owners were forced to close. So many factors leading to the downfall of these small towns.

It's heartbreaking. My Dad died in 2004, and my Grandparents have been gone for decades. I have fond memories of Braddock when it was a vibrant, close knit community.